it's elementary

sherlock holmes - i've not a huge fan of the novels, though i have the complete hardbound set of his cases (when i was seconded to edinburgh in 2006 but didn't have time to visit the sherlock holmes museum in london, i asked my colleague who went there one weekend to buy me the hardbound set). i've been wanting to read his novels but never got round to it. the only case i ever read was the hound of the baskervilles (i was in elementary then and sad to say i dont even remember it at all).

this is the exact cover of the book that i have

Hardcover: 480 pages
Publisher: CRW Publishing Limited (September 2005)
Language: English
Product Dimensions: 11.8 x 9.4 x 2.1 inches
Product Description: This volume contains all 4 full-length novels and all 56 short stories featuring Sherlock Holmes.

when i found out they're making a movie and saw the trailer, i was excited. i was sure this is going to be an amazing movie. i'm not a big fan of robert downey jr (but i know he's good), i like rachel mcadams and jude law (thought it's time he has a good role rather than just being known as the sleazy guy who cheated on sienna with the nanny and got some wannabe model pregnant last year and he doesn't even acknowledge his kid with her).

finally had the chance to watch the movie yesterday with my brother and his wife and hm... i'm speechless. literally. that's what i felt when the lights came on and the end credits started rolling. and i'm not sure that's a good thing.

Directed by: Guy Ritchie
Produced by: Joel Silver, Lionel Wigram, Susan Downey, Dan Lin
Written by: Michael Robert Johnson, Anthony Peckham, Simon Kinberg, Lionel Wigram (story), Arthur Conan Doyle (characters)
Starring: Robert Downey Jr, Jude Law, Rachel McAdams, Mark Strong
Music by: Hans Zimmer
Studio: Silver Pictures, Village Roadshaw Pictures
Distributed by: Warner Bros Pictures
Release Date: January 8, 2010 (Philippines)
Running Time: 128 minutes

okay, movie-wise it was good. guy ritchie directed the movie and it reminded me of sweeney todd.. the way the whole place was kinda dark and gloomy and the setting and costumes were great, really made you feel like you were back in olden london times. acting was great - all of them were believable.. there was a great chemistry between downey and law.. the banter was funny. the story / plot was good - kept you guessing for a little bit.. but i think that's what's wrong with the film. i read up on the film and i dont think the actual case was based on an actual novel so i wouldn't say that it's because the novel was old so the plot was also..bland.. or maybe it's because ive been reading too many murder / mystery novels and watching too many police procedurals.. i thought the plot was predictable.. i mean (spoiler ahead) it was obvious there were no ghosts.. obvious that the villain didn't die of hanging (when they showed the first hanging, i thought it was weird there wasn't even a single struggle from the villain.. i mean i would think if someone was hanged he would be choking at least until he dies but he didn't - so that was the first sign). oh and the no pulse thing - it was obvious that he must have taken something to make his heart stop for a moment..i mean, they keep showing holmes experimenting on the dog.. and the whole time all i could think of was romeo and juliet.. you know that juliet fake her death thing - so i was thinking that that was what he did.

of course i'm only guessing so the rest of the movie (and it was quite long - more than 2 hours), i was just looking forward to the ending when holmes will give us the big revelation and show us how it was done. and it's funny how he was able to recreate the whole scene with just one visit to the midget's place. holmes is too good or the plot is too fake? you watch and decide. so overall, i think it's a great movie except for the plot. would i recommend people to watch it on the big screen? yes but i will not tell them it's an amazing movie and set their expectations high (they might be slightly disappointed like me). am i looking forward to the sequel? hell yes! i'm more curious about professor moriarty (and i heard brad pitt's eager to take this role!)

heartbeat @ MYX

Watch out for the Philippine premiere of HEARTBEAT at MYX Music Channel this Sun, Jan 17 (2PM)

This 2010, everyone will check their clocks and wait for 2PM!

Sony Music and JYP Entertainment present one of the hottest groups in South Korea - 2PM. They are set to capture the hearts and minds of Pinoys and K-pop fans with "THE FIRST ALBUM 01:59PM"!

The album features the carrier single "HEARTBEAT." Its catchy beats and cool dance moves from their music video will sure be another hit among kids and adults alike and the new lyric to sing will be "Listen to my heartbeat! It's waiting for you!" "HEARTBEAT" will be the next K-pop craze next to "Nobody."

2PM is composed of Wooyoung (main vocalist), Junsu (lead vocalist), Junho (main vocalist), Nichkhun (vocalist),Chansung (vocalist, rapper), and Taecyeon (main rapper, vocalist) who debuted in 2008 with their first single "10 Points Out Of 10 Points" from their first single album 'Hottest Time Of The Day'. The group, whose members originally include leader Jaebeom (main vocalist, rapper) are all trained in dancing, acrobatics and singing, is discovered and managed by JYP Entertainment, where the Wonder Girls (who popularized "Nobody") also belong to. In mid-2009, 2PM returned with their second single album entitled '2:00 Time For Change' which includes the chart-topping tracks "Again and Again" and "I Hate You." The said tracks are also included in 2PM's "THE FIRST ALBUM 01:59PM" which will be released at your favorite record stores under Sony Music Philippines by end of January.

"HEARTBEAT" is set to premiere on MYX Music Channel this Sunday, January 17 at 2PM. Watch out for it!

yo shorty, it's my bday!

i can't believe i'm another year older and edging closer to big 3-0! time really passed by so quickly. this morning i tried to remember where i was and what i was doing on my bday.. last year on my bday eve i went out with my girl friends to have dinner in makati then we passed by my friend's sister who was waiting for the wrap of the shooting of a cf with kim and gerald (both of them were so goodlooking..gerald was hot while kim was a bit too skinny). on my actual bday, i was at the centennial airport bound for singapore for training (and after that flying to india for a 2-week work) and i had dinner with my colleagues at Morton's Steak (Mandarin Oriental)..

Last year, bday cake with my family at Mr Choi's Kitchen

yesterday, on the day before my bday eve, i was out with the same girl friends.. we watched the chipmunks squeakwel and dinner at arya. i had to leave early though but i still had fun chatting with the girls. the day before my bday, i had lunch with my family and on the eve, they surprised me with a yummy chocolate cake while singing happy bday (aww..i was touched!) though it was already 10pm and i was in my jammies and had night cream on my face (hihi) when they gave me the surprise!

dinner at Arya with my girl friends

today, i'm in the office like it's just another day.. had lunch with my colleagues at Abe (serendra). Funny story - when we sat at the table i asked the waiter if i get free dessert because it's my bday today, and he said, yes, i get a free maja blanca. so i said, "okay" and joked "gusto ko yun may kumakanta ha!".. later after our yummy meal, we followed up on our free dessert and the waiter said that, "hinahanap lang po namin yun best singer namin".. haha.. sure enough a few minutes later, a group of waiters came from behind me and started singing "Maligayang bati... maligayang bati.." while all the while everyone inside the resto starting looking at our table, looking at me!! aimee took my pic and i made a wish and blew the candle.

Me and the singing waiters at Abe

what? no party til the morning? haha..sorry but no.. i think the best bdays are celebrated with a smile and your loved ones near you, no need for something fancy! thanks everyone for all the lovely greetings (via text and fb).. i'm feeling the love!! hope everyone (esp me) will have a great year ahead! :)

kristan higgins

her books are really funny and heartwarming...i've just become a big fan after reading all of her novels. i've reviewed her debut novel, Fools Rush In, in one of the previous posts, now i'm recommending you guys to read her other books!

Catch of the Day

Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
Publisher: HQN Books (October 1, 2007)

This catch of the day could be the dish of a lifetime!
First Date a la Maggie
Take one lovelorn dinner owner (me)
A generous helping of nosy local gossips
A dollop of envy at married sister's perfect life
A splash of divine intervention (my matchmaking priest)
Combine ingredients with one adorable puppy, add a strong but silent lobsterman with a hidden heart of gold...and watch the sparks fly.

Just One of The Guys

Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
Publisher: HQN Books (August 1, 2008)

Being one of the guys isn't all it's cracked up to be...
So when journalist Chastity O'Neill returns to her hometown, she decides it's time to start working on some of those feminine wiles. Two tiny problems: #1-she's 5'11 of rock-solid girl power, and #2-she's cursed with 4 alpha male older brothers.

While doing a story of local heroes, she meets a hunky doctor and things start to look up. Now there's only one problem: Trevor Meade, her first love and the one man she's never quite gotten over-although he seems to have gotten over her just fine.

Yet the more time she spends with Dr. Perfect, the better Trevor looks. But even with the in-your-face competition, the irresistible Trevor just can't seem to see Chastity as anything more than just one of the guys...

Too Good To Be True

Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
Publisher: HQN Books (February 1, 2009)

Three weeks before her wedding, Grace's fiance calls it off to date her younger, prettier sister. Grace is a history teacher, and the only males she meets are her teenage students, elderly men at the dance class her society teaches at the nursing home, and guys at her civil war reenactment-sick of being pitied, she tells everyone that she's happily involved with a pediatric surgeon. Cheeky, cute, and satisfying, Higgins' romance is a perfect entertainment for a girl's night in.

Common themes about her novels: 
a) Characters - Heroine is always a late 20s-to early 30s average looking woman with a stable job. Hero is almost always the guy next door who the heroine ignores at the start but ends up loving him. Crazy and wacky family-from the bickering parents to perfect siblings. Dependable and funny best friends. Nosy neighbors. Heroine almost always has a lovable dog.
b) Plot - there's always a love triangle, heroine has been unlucky in love, or is secretly crushing on a nice but unattainable guy and the ends up falling in love with the seemingly wrong guy. The side plots always involve one or two siblings and the love hate relationship of the heroine's parents.


Why I love her novels - mostly because of the characters and how well they interact with each other. You can sense the love and shows us that family and friends will always be there to support you.. It also shows us that love can come in unexpected packages and love should not be rushed. It's good to build a relationship first, get to know the person before falling in love.


Grab a copy of her novels and enjoy reading! 

killer reads

a dash of teen romance with a deadly twist.. this sums up the story of the two YA books i've recently read.

Killer Cruise by Jennifer Shaw

Paperback: 368 pages
Publisher: HarperTeen (Sept 23, 2008)
Product Description: On board facilities -
Pool 1, Caribbean Deck:
Meet hot crew member while soaking up the sun!

The Santorini Restaurant, Olympia Deck:
Heard about last year's mysterious disappearance on board. What could have happened?

Movie Theater, Fiesta Dock:
Still can't stand horror flicks. Too scary.

Paris Boutique, Panama Deck:
Then again, so was my near-death fall overboard last night...

Glamorama Spa, Bermuda Deck:
Must relax. No one's trying to kill me-I'm just being paranoid.

Club Paradise, Diablo Deck:
But what if someone does want me dead?

I love this book because though I suspected the killer halfway through the story, the climax and ending still made me shiver. A quick but good read and it can even be made into a tv-movie!


Sleepless by Terri Clark

Paperback: 288 pages
Publisher: HarperTeen (September 2, 2008)
Product Description: The Swaying Palms Hotel late-night room-service menu
Tuck-Me-In Tuna Salad on Rye:
$7.50

Catch-Some-ZZZs Cheeseburger and Fries:
$10.00

Up-All-Night Chocolate Chip Cookies with Milk:
$5.50

Bedtime Banana Split:
$7.00

I can't go to sleep!!! And not because of the cute boy lying next to me. There's a killer stalking me in my dreams. And if it's up to him... I'll never wake up. I have to find a way to get him, before he gets me.

When I first read the plot, i didn't really understand the story. but it got great reviews in Amazon so i bought this book when i saw this in the bookstore. This book is another good teen mystery-murder novel, however the premise is so weird, that it's cool. Stalking in dreams? Psychopath murderer? Creepy! The side plot of the romance is okay, though i thought it's a bit rushed like they suddenly like each other and they're together. But i like the ending and i like the plot about the bad dad turned good dad. 

new year, new plans

happy new year to everyone!

i have so many things lined up for this year - but my theme is focused on "learning". learning a new language (korean maybe since i've been listening to kpop and watching kdramas since 2001, i think it's time i start really learning the language and not be a slave to english subtitles), learning to swim (so that i can enjoy going to the beach more), continue practice driving, maybe take the CIA exams (or CFA or CFSA), continue my creative writing course, etc etc.... will have to plan the schedule wisely to accommodate all these things!

also have things i want to buy - like a new ipod (i like ipod classic 160gb over ipod touch but dang, touch is just so pretty), amazon kindle, new speakers for my tv, etc etc... still have to set a budget though!

i'm wishing for a great year ahead and lots more surprises and blessings! :)

humming urban stereo

i don't know much about this band but i love their music!


Humming Urban Stereo (허밍 어반 스테레오) is a korean electropop band. some of their songs however can also be categorised under r&b as well. the first few songs i heard from them were baby love, insomnia, hawaiian couple. i got a hold of the rest of their albums and now i'm a fan!


Discography:
Very Very Nice! and Short Cake 
Release Date: January 26, 2005
Label: HUS / Pastel Records
Genre: Indie Pop / Electronic

Disc 1:
01. Very Very Nice
02. Sounds Market
03. Bob줘
04. Scully Doesn't Know (English Version)
05. Lounge People
06. Casker
07. Scully Doesn't Know (Korean Version)
08. WaltzSofa #1
09. Un Homme Et Une Femme (Sweety French Girl Mix)
10. The Lady From Ipanema (Swimming Pool Mix)
11. Hidden Track


Disc 2:
01. Short Cake
02. 샐러드 기념일 (Sael-Leo-Deu Ki-Nyeom-Il)
03. CocoMi
04. Delicious Humming
05. Little Boy
06. Banana Shake
07. Rub Luv Mode
Download



Vol. 2 - Purple Drop 

Release Date: March 14, 2006

Label: HUS / Pastel Records

Genre: Indie Pop / Electronic

01. Dejavu Synth
02. Luv Sauce
03. Simple Life
04. Salsa Women
05. S.P.X.
06. Waltz Sofa
07. Hawaiian Couple
08. Stalker
09. Delight Disco
10. Goldie
11. Slide
12. Abuse Girl
13. 야매악사 (Ya-Mae-Ak-Sa)
14. Sakamoto
15. 찰랑소녀 (Chal-Lang-So-Nyeo)
16. Melacholy Baby
17. Mulder Does Know


EP - Monochrome
Label: HUS / Pastel Records
Genre: Lounge / House / Bossa Nova / Acid Jazz

01. Insomnia
02. Nim
03. Ji-ral
04. Sera Un Zorro (She Will Become a Fox)
05. Date
06. Say It's So
07. Ero Actress
Download



Vol. 3 - Baby Love

Release Date: February 8, 2007

Label: HUS / Pastel Records

Genre: Indie Pop / Electronic / Jazz

01. Dark Circle
02. Rainbow
03. Mambo Mood
04. Triangular
05. Space Loves Disco
06. 간이역 (Gan-I-Yeok)

07. Siempre, Sera Un Zorro

08. Baby Love

09. Insomnia

10. Ozon

11. 지랄 (Ji-Ral)

12. Waltz Sofa

13. Erotic Actress

14. Hawaiian Couple (YMCK Mix)

15. Mambo Mood (Bunny's Kid Scat Version)

Download